DGA Fantasy Session 3

5th Day of the Fool’s Moon

Five days in already. Time seems to be going by quite quickly. Will demons truly attack once more at the end of the month? Can your truly trust the word of a seer? You rise and leave the inn, ready to continue in your day.

>Bulletin Board
>Town Hall
>Dojo
>Blacksmith
>Medicine Woman
>General Store
>Hillside Shrine [Ryoji Affection Quest]

>Bulletin Board

You arrive at the bulletin board, to find two missions attached to it. Seems more work is coming in.

I saw a BEAR just outside the village! And no normal bear at that. A larger one, with unnatural skin! Anyone wandering at night could be attacked! Please, take care of that monster! Reward: 100 gold. - Citizen

A swarm of Demonic Flies have been appearing around the village. Someone, please exterminate them. Reward: 100 gold - Citizen

>Take a job
>Go elsewhere

>Medicine Woman

You make your way over to the medicine woman’s home. Entering through the sliding door, you see a young woman looking over reams of parchment. Her hair is brown and placed into a folded ponytail, and over her eyes she wears spectacles. Another young woman, a more youthful visage than the other sits at a desk, scrawling onto parchment. A note taker, an assistant.

“Excuse me,” you speak. “Which of you would be the medicine woman?”

The woman with the folded ponytail looks up, almost dropping the parchment in shock. “Oh, an adventurer! What a surprise! Yes, that would be me.”

She walks over and gives a bow. “My name is Tekina. Over there is my assistant, Satomi Mashimo.”

Satomi gives a nervous wave, keeping to herself.

“So, do you sell potions?” you ask.

Tekina shakes her head. “No, not at all. If you require your usual supply of potions, you may go to the general store… though their supplies may be limited.”

“Why?”

“My assistant’s alchemy lab was damaged in the attack,” she explains. “Without it, I’m afraid we cannot brew any new batches.”

“So what do you do?” you ask.

Tekina nods. “Me? Well, I focus on a much more thorough treatment in the here and now. A potion can keep you walking, but only proper treatment will keep you healthy.”

[FOR 100 GOLD, TEKINA WILL FULLY HEAL THE HP OF THE ENTIRE PARTY AT ANY TIME. THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE SPENDING A DAY. AS HER OFFICE IS REPAIRED AND UPGRADED, YOU MAY UNLOCK FURTHER TREATMENTS TO BOOST RESISTANCES AND RAISE YOUR VITALITY.]

“Do you require anything?” Tekina asks. “You really are a remarkable measure of health… it would be quite thrilling to study you.”

Does she intend to make it sound so disturbing?

>Can you heal my party? [100 Gold]
>Nothing for now. [GO ELSEWHERE]

>Town Hall

You make your way to the town hall. You heard word that you should ask in here regarding helping with repairs for the village. When you arrive, you expect to meet with Mayor Kobashi, but you are quickly sent to a small room within the hall. Inside the cramped room, at a small desk squashed in by a variety of books and records, sits and uncomfortable looking green-haired man.

“Oh, it seems I’ve been trapped here long enough to hallucinate,” he point out as he sees you. “My eternal punishment has broken my mind, and I’ve started to see the apparition of an actual visitor!”

“I am an actual visitor,” you note.

He looks at you. “So you are… you must have taken a wrong turn.”

“I wanted to ask about donations to village repairs.”

The green haired man blinks, surprised. “Oh… you actually did come to the right place. Nobody ever comes to the right place here.”

He attempts to stand, but it’s no use as he’s surrounded by books, unable to remove himself from his desk. “Chuichi Murkami,” he explains. “I was saddled with the role of bookkeeper here by my adoptive brother.”

“Brother?”

He nods. “Yes, the mayor. I may be closer in age to his daughter, but I was adopted by Guard Captain Wei Kobashi. As such, he felt a responsibility to provide me with work… unfortunately, the work he provided me with was… this.”

“I see…” you mutter. “So, how should I donate to repairs in the city?”

“Happy to explain.”

[AT ANY TIME, YOU CAN DONATE ANY AMOUNT OF GOLD IN ONE OF THE VILLAGE PROJECTS POOL. ONCE THAT POOL HITS A MILESTONE OF GOLD, IT WILL RAISE IN RANK. UPON REACHING RANK 1, CLOSED BUILDINGS WILL RE-OPEN, AND FURTHER UPGRADES BEYOND THAT WILL PROVIDE NEW FEATURES AND AMENITIES. RANKING UP THESE BUILDINGS WILL ALSO UNLOCK MISSION REQUESTS FROM NEW CHARACTERS.]

"So, did you wish to make a donation?"

>Yes, I do. [State building and amount]
>Not right now, but I intend to. [Go Elsewhere]

You donate 25 gold to the Bakery, before leaving the Town Hall.

“Come back soon… or don’t,” Chuichi notes. “It does get quite lonely in here…”

>Bulletin Board
>Town Hall
>Dojo
>Blacksmith
>Medicine Woman
>General Store
>Hillside Shrine [Ryoji Affection Quest]

You make your way to the store, where Kosuke is asleep at the counter. After waking him up, he pulls you to the list of items available to sell.

“Unfortunately we’re quite low on stock…” Kosuke explains. “You understand. Demon attack. Repairs for the village. I’m sure you’ve heard it all already.”

---Item List---
Potion (20 Gold) – Raises 1d10+10HP
Soul Dew (50 Gold) – Raises 1d10+10MP
Medicine (20 Gold) – Cures Sickness
Antidote (20 Gold) – Cures Poison
Smelling Salts (20 Gold) – Cures Paralysis
Decoy (50 Gold) – Flee any battle

>What do you buy?

>Bulletin Board
>Town Hall
>Dojo
>Blacksmith
>Medicine Woman
>General Store
>Hillside Shrine [Ryoji Affection Quest]

You make your way back to the board, where Takeshi is waiting.

I saw a BEAR just outside the village! And no normal bear at that. A larger one, with unnatural skin! Anyone wandering at night could be attacked! Please, take care of that monster! Reward: 100 gold. - Citizen

A swarm of Demonic Flies have been appearing around the village. Someone, please exterminate them. Reward: 100 gold - Citizen

>Take Mission
>Go elsewhere

You take up the mission to hunt the bear, before carrying outside the village with your party in tow. As you wander through the forest outside the village, Saki is quick to speak. “A bear?”

“Not just a bear…” Ryoji notes. “From the description, it’s likely a Dark Bear.”

“Of course, how could I forget…” Saki sighs. She looks up and pumps her fist. “Battling demons two days in a row, and the day before that bandits… it’s difficult work, but I’ll do it! I’ll prove I can!”

“Watch your voice…” Ryoji sighs. “I wish we had some kind of traps… maybe the general store will have some when the town returns to normal.”

In the clearing, you hear a growl.

“There it is!” Ryoji exclaims.

From the brush, a large beast rushes into the clearing. It’s no ordinary bear, in fact… it’s almost twice the size of a regular bear! And it’s eyes glow red as black saliva hangs from it’s mouth. It lets out a vicious roar, before going on the attack.

Dark Bear: 150/150

As Saki lets out her battle cry, you rush at the bear with a burning blade. You strike it and the bear lets out a howl of pain. However, you find yourself in range of it’s attack. It swipes with it’s claw, and you feel like you’ve ran into a wall. You fly back in pain… even the boost from Ryoji does little to embolden your body against a blow like that.

“Kazuma!” Saki yells with concern, as you pick yourself up.

“That thing is strong,” you note. “Don’t let it hit you.”

Dark Bear: 141/150

The bear manages to avoid a shot from Ryoji, but Ryoji in turn is able to avoid a swipe from the demonic bear, leaving it open for attacks from you and Saki. You and Saki drives your swords into the bear and it lets out another scream before throwing you both off.

Dark Bear: 115/150


The bear lets out a roar once more, before catching you with another strike when you miss a shot. You fly into a tree, clutching your ribs.

“You okay, kid?” Ryoji calls out. “You look in bad shape…”

“I’m fine…” you mutter.

“That’s enough!” Saki exclaims, before leaping up with her blade. “TAKE THIS!”

Saki drives her blade into the bear with an almighty force, taking a large chunk out of the monster’s hide. She lands on her feet as the bear staggers around.

“Impressive…” Ryoji mutters.

Dark Bear: 67/150

You, Saki and Ryoji surround the Dark bear, before leaping in and going for an all out attack. You all manage to hit it, while the bear swings wildly around attempting to hit, but failing. You may have it on the back foot now, but you still need to be careful.

Dark Bear: 51/150


Another all out attack from the party, each one of you managing to land a shot with the bear, but the Dark Bear is able to fight back itself. It swipes back, catching Saki with a slash that sends her back.

“Look out!” Ryoji warns. “We can’t get overconfident!”

“My mistake…” Saki mutters, as she grips her sword.

Dark Bear: 22/150

You, Ryoji and Saki go all out on another attack on the bear, each-one of you landing a strike on the thing, with Saki’s final attack proving the decisive blow. The massive frame of the bear collapses, and soon dissipates into dust.

>You defeated Dark Bear!
>You gained 150xp
>The Party grew to lvl 3!

“Another job well done,” you remark, but Ryoji quickly examines the ground beneath him.

“Hmm…” he hums to himself. “These tracks. It seems this bear had a mate. It could also be nearby.”

You clutch your shoulder. “One was trouble enough. Should we really deal with two?”

Saki nods. “I’d expect a bonus in pay if we did, but it isn’t a requirement.”

[ON SOME MISSIONS, YOU’LL BE PROVIDED WITH THE OPTION TO TAKE ON ANOTHER BATTLE FOR INCREASED REWARDS.]

“It’s up to you,” Ryoji notes.

>Hunt the other bear.
>Turn in the mission.

>Hunt the other bear

You decide to continue in your mission, tracking down and hunting the mate of the bear. It doesn’t take long to find the creature, as the roars of its partner alerted it to your position. It storms through the clearing and into sight, as you grip your weapons.

Dark Bear: 150/150


You and the party ready yourselves as the second bear charges right at you. You avoid it with your newly acquired shadow step. With this technique, you find yourself moving at an even faster rate. You may be able to avoid any attacks from the bear now, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down.

Dark Bear: 150/150


You charge at the bear and hit your shadow slash which cuts along the breadth of its torso, before Saki comes in herself, turning her blade to the broad end, this time using it as more of a blunt instrument. “DRAGON SMASH!” she declares, before coming down hard on the beast with a mighty strike. The beats crunches and staggers, greatly damaged by the attack, but it still has plenty of energy left.

Dark Bear: 116/150

You go for another shadow slash, catching the bear once more, while Ryoji takes a decisive stab with his own dagger. Both strikes land perfectly, while Saki charges with her Dragon Smash. Unfortunately, the beast knows better this time, and manages to dodge the devastating attack. It lets out a roar as it stares the three of you down.

Dark Bear: 89/150

You and the party go on the attack again. Saki’s attack fails to land, which seems to annoy her, while you and Ryoji manage to land shots on it. It swings at Saki, but she manages to dodge out of the way, a look of frustration on her face.

Dark Bear: 73/150

You ago for another slash, but this time the bear dodges you. You manage to avoid its swipe as well, before Ryoji and Saki move in. Ryoji slashes the creature with his knife, while Saki comes in with her Dragon Smash, crashing down hard on the beast yet again. Some retribution for her previous failed attempts.

Dark Bear: 45/150


You continue to wear down the bear with strikes as the creature begins to lose it’s footing somewhat. Perhaps your experience from the previous Dark Bear has allowed you to predict the moves of its mate more clearly. You and Saki land successful strikes on the beast, causing it to stagger some more. It’s truly on the back foot now.

Dark Bear: 25/150

You and Saki slash at the bear once more, drawing more and more black blood from the monster. On its last legs, it becomes enraged, and charges directly at you with all of its might. You dodge, and the bear ends up crashing directly into a tree, smashing its face into the trunk and inadvertently stunning itself. With that, you’re left an opening for another attack, and this proves to be the fatal blow, taking it out for good as it turns to dust before you.

>You defeated Dark Bear!
>You gained 150xp!

“A shame…” Saki sighs. “It’s quite sad. They were terrorising villagers, but it doesn’t feel good to exterminate two mates.”

“They don’t feel love,” Ryoji points out. “They’re simply instinctual. They don’t even mate exclusively among themselves. I’ve heard word that they’ll-”

“I do not want to hear the rest of that sentence,” Saki cuts him off.

You return to the village, and report in the mission a success, with you having gone even further beyond. As such, your pay ends up doubled for the day. A great success all round.

After the mission, you are approached by Saki. “Kazuma, I have a request to ask of you.”

You look to the mayor’s daughter with suspicion. “What is it?”

“I have something to do in the graveyard just outside the village,” she explains. “If you ever have the time… well, this might seem silly, but I would appreciate it if you joined me.”

“When I have time, then…” you inform her, before parting ways to the inn.


6th Rise of the Fool’s Moon

>Bulletin Board
>Town Hall
>Dojo
>Blacksmith
>Medicine Woman
>General Store
>Hillside Shrine [Ryoji Affection Quest]
>Village Cemetery [Saki Affection Quest]

>Hillside Shrine

You and Ryoji make your way to the hills near the village, climbing them to reach a shrine nestled away in a rock face…

“Here’s the spot,” Ryoji tells you. “Come on.”

You watch as Ryoji sets himself down before the shrine, taking a knee before a bronze idol. You never took the thief for a religious man… and upon closer inspection of the shrine, you can see why.

That idol… it’s of no god you know. No god at all. The twisted effigies around it… and the cursed aura which radiates from him as he meditates at the shrine…

“You…” you mutter. “Are you a demon worshipper?”

Ryoji shakes his head as he picks himself up. “Close, but no. I don’t worship demons. If you haven’t gathered by now, I have very little love for them at all.”

“Then… what are you?”

Ryoji looks back to you. “You haven’t figured it out, huh? Kid… I am a demon.”

He’s… what?!

“No… you look human!” you protest. “And you don’t look possessed like those lawmen before. What do you-”

“I’m half demon…” he explains. “Make no mistake, I was born of two humans. But a demon lord… for whatever reason, selected me as a child to be imbued with his essence. I know demons inside and out because… well, down to my blood… I am one.”

You look at him, confused. “Why are you telling me this?”

“You have a right to know,” he explains. “If we’re going to be working together. So… what do you think of that? Do you think less of me now that you know my secret?”

>You wouldn’t have helped me this much if you weren’t genuine. It doesn’t matter.
>To be honest… I can’t trust you. Not fully.
>I never thought much of you before. Not much difference now.

>I never thought much of you before. Not much difference now.

Ryoji smirks. “Heh… I figured you would say something like that.”

Ryoji stretches out as he looks back to the shrine. “As long as you know who and what I am… you’re still comfortable doing this?”

You nod.

Ryoji is quick to nod back. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, kid. We’re going to continue as partners.”

“Partners may be going a bit far…” you point out, causing Ryoji to laugh and pat you on the back.

“Partners it is,” he jokes, forever teasing. “Come on partner, let’s head back to the village.”

You sigh. This man is such an anomaly… but if he truly is a demon working for the forces of good, he’s even more useful than he lets on.

[TRAIT GAINED!]
[Demon Senses: Ryoji can scan an enemy and tell you their weaknesses.]

As you head back to the village, Ryoji speaks to you once more. “By the way, I have another thing to ask of you. When you have the time, speak to me at the inn.

It seems Ryoji trusts you even more now. The two of you head back to the inn, and call it a night.

7th Rise of the Fool’s Moon

As you awake and leave your room, you are approached by Hikaru. “Oh, I suppose I should tell you,” she notes. “You’re new to the village so you wouldn’t know. Today is the annual Fool’s Festival in the village.”

“Fool’s what?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “A festival dedicated to making a fool of others, in celebration of the current moon. I don’t care much for it… one benefit of the current state of town is that the festival has been greatly reduced this cycle.”

[ON CERTAIN DAYS, A HOLIDAY WILL BE HELD IN THE VILLAGE. ON THESE DAYS, ACTIVITIES ARE UNAVAILABLE. INSTEAD, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE AFFECTION WITH YOUR PARTY MEMBERS.]

Well, you don’t like the idea of a festival of fools when Ryoji is around. You dread whatever trick he may have planned on you.

You step outside of the inn, and there he is. Ryoji himself. “Good morning, kid. Today is-”

“I was informed,” you tell him.

Ryoji nods. “Ah, so what do you plan on doing today?”

>I’m simply going to enjoy the festivities.
>I was thinking of pulling a trick on someone. In the spirit of the season.
>Avoiding whatever you may have up your sleeve, for a start.

>I was thinking of pulling a trick on someone. In the spirit of the season.

Ryoji smirks. “Now that would be something to see. Did you have anything in mind?”

You pause. “Not… particularly. Although-”

“I would hope you two aren’t up to no good.”

Saki approaches, as Ryoji can’t contain his smirking. “Ah, a warning from the busybody herself. Come to ensure no merriment is to be had under your watchful eye, I take it?”

Saki glares at the demon thief. “I have no qualms with merriment. However, the most common japes I have seen over the last few years have been… cruel and unnecessary! Foodstuff tossed in an unwitting victim’s face, women having their tunics stolen from the baths… this village has put up with enough trouble lately, don’t you think?”

Ryoji shakes his head. “Exactly as I thought. Why are you so worried about a little fun? I assume nobody has ever thrown foodstuff in your face, or stolen your tunic? Do you feel excluded.”

Saki blushes and pouts. “You…! How dare you! Kazuma, you agree with me, right? Fun is fun, but there is a limit to japes!”

“Kazuma is a regular trickster himself,” Ryoji winks. “Isn’t that so?”

>Side with Ryoji.
>Side with Saki.
>I’m staying out of this.

>Don't know, what do you think Hikaru?
>Run away when they turn around and see no one

As Saki and Ryoji both turn their heads to look for Hikaru, you are quick to run off. You don’t want any part of either of them on a day like this.

You remain in the inn, laying low with Hikaru at one of the tables. “Avoiding the festival?” she asks.

“It’s terrifying out there,” you remark.

Hikaru nods. “Good choice. Stay here as long as you need.”

Before long, Ryoji returns to the inn, his face covered in what appears to be some creameries. He casually attempts to ignore the blatant foodstuff attached to his face as he sits down at your table.

“I was worried this would happen,” you note.

Ryoji ignores that comment, before ordering his drink from Hikaru.

“How’d it happen?”

“Saki.”

You pause. “Saki did this?”

He nods, wiping some cream from his face. “Yes.”

“… Why?”

“I talked her into it,” he replies. “She could not stop apologising after.”

You pause. “I see… was it funny?”

Ryoji nods. “Very. But I laughed much more than she did.”

What an odd pair you’re adventuring with…

[+2 AFFECTION ALL ROUND]


Ryoji sits in the inn, ready to crunch into a tasty apple, when who should arrive but… her.

Saki Kobashi storms into the Shirai Inn, thunderclouds appearing before her head. Her focus entirely on one man. Ryoji quickly hides the apple behind his back.

“Well, if it isn’t-”

“Return it.”

Ryoji looks around. “Saki, I have no idea what you-”

“Don’t play the fool with me!” Saki crosses her arms over her chest. “I saw you! You stole that apple from a market stall!”

Ryoji scoffs. “Your eyes must be deceiving you. Why would I resort to thievery for a simple apple?”

Saki shakes her head. “The possibilities are endless! The pursuit of power, a compulsive need to take from others, dreams of starting a rival apple stall-”

“Or perhaps I was hungry,” Ryoji suggests. “Have you ever considered that?”

“What?”
Ryoji stands from his chair, tossing the apple up before grabbing it and taking a bite. “That I was hungry, and didn’t have enough gold for even a simple meal. You understand what that is, right? Or have you never gone hungry in your life?”

Saki pauses. “I… well… that’s…”

“Weren’t you handed everything by your father and grandfather?” he notes. “You wouldn’t know what the common folk have to resort to in order to get by.”

“That has nothing to do with this!” Saki snaps. “It’s still the wrong thing to do! That market trader has a family! Do you think he would want his children to go hungry themselves?”

Ryoji shakes his head. “You may be spoiled rotten, but I can’t say you aren’t principled… alright, how about this? I’ll have more gold tomorrow. When I have it, I’ll inform the shopkeep of what happened, and pay for this apple. Will that please you?”

Saki gives a small smile. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“That would be great,” Saki replies. “Thank you, Ryoji… you may be a low-down dirty thief… but you aren’t completely irredeemable.”

“That is easily the nicest thing you’ve said to me,” Ryoji notes. “And to be fair… it’s quite high among the nicest things anyone has said to me.”

Saki points at him. “Don’t think you’re in the clear! I’ll still have an eye on you. But… I’m glad you will be paying for what you take. That’s some responsibility.”

Saki leaves the inn, as Ryoji smiles, taking another bite of his apple. “That lady is a real handful…”

“Are you really going to pay for that?” the inkeep asks.

Ryoji shrugs. “Probably not.”

SAKI AND RYOJI HAVE ATTAINED SUPPORT RANK C!